CVE-2025-26921

Remediation / Mitigation Strategy: CVE-2025-26921 - Deserialization of Untrusted Data in Booking and Rental Manager

This document outlines a remediation and mitigation strategy for CVE-2025-26921, a critical vulnerability affecting the Booking and Rental Manager plugin for WordPress.

1. Vulnerability Description:

  • Vulnerability: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
  • Affected Software: Booking and Rental Manager plugin for WordPress
  • Affected Versions: Versions up to and including 2.2.6
  • Root Cause: The plugin deserializes user-supplied data without proper validation, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary objects.

2. Severity:

  • CVSS Score: 8.8 (High)
  • Impact: Object Injection, potentially leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE). An attacker can inject malicious PHP objects into the application’s memory, which can then be executed, allowing them to compromise the server and gain complete control.

3. Known Exploit:

  • The provided report indicates the vulnerability exists and has been assigned a CVE. Although the report itself doesn’t provide specific exploit details, the nature of deserialization vulnerabilities makes them highly exploitable.
  • Likelihood: High. Given the vulnerability’s nature (deserialization) and the availability of the CVE, exploit code is likely to be developed and released soon, if it doesn’t already exist.

4. Remediation Strategy:

The primary remediation strategy is to update the Booking and Rental Manager plugin to a patched version that addresses the deserialization vulnerability.

  • Step 1: Update Plugin: Immediately update the Booking and Rental Manager plugin to the latest available version. Check the WordPress plugin repository or the plugin developer’s website for a patch release. Important: Confirm that the update specifically addresses CVE-2025-26921.
  • Step 2: Verify Update: After updating, thoroughly test the plugin functionality to ensure the update hasn’t introduced any new issues or broken existing features.
  • Step 3: Monitor for Updates: Subscribe to security advisories from the Booking and Rental Manager plugin developers and Patchstack ([email protected]) to stay informed about future security updates and potential vulnerabilities.

5. Mitigation Strategy (If immediate patching is not possible):

If an immediate update is not possible (e.g., due to compatibility issues or the unavailability of a patched version), implement the following mitigation measures:

  • Option 1: Disable the Plugin: Temporarily disable the Booking and Rental Manager plugin. This is the most effective way to prevent exploitation but will also disable the plugin’s functionality. Assess the impact of disabling the plugin before proceeding.
  • Option 2: Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rule: Configure a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block requests containing serialized PHP objects. This can be complex and may require expertise in WAF configuration and PHP serialization formats. Example WAF rules (for ModSecurity) might look for O:, rO0AB, or other markers indicating serialized data in request parameters, headers, or the body. Caveat: This approach may introduce false positives and require careful tuning. Ensure proper logging and monitoring are in place to detect and address false positives.
  • Option 3: Input Sanitization (Developer Effort): If you have access to the plugin’s source code, attempt to implement input sanitization to prevent the transmission of serialized objects. This is a more complex undertaking and requires a thorough understanding of PHP serialization and secure coding practices. Warning: This should only be attempted by experienced developers and should be considered a temporary measure until a proper patch is available. Incorrectly implemented sanitization can lead to bypasses and continued vulnerability.
  • Option 4: Limit User Permissions: Reduce the privileges of users who interact with the plugin. This will limit the impact if an attacker gains access through the vulnerability. For example, only allow administrators to access and configure the plugin settings.

6. Monitoring and Logging:

  • Enable Detailed Logging: Enable detailed logging on the web server and within the WordPress application to capture suspicious activity related to the Booking and Rental Manager plugin. Monitor for unusual requests, error messages, and unexpected file access.
  • Monitor System Resources: Monitor system resource usage (CPU, memory, disk I/O) for unusual spikes, which could indicate an ongoing attack.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits of the WordPress installation and all installed plugins to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

7. Communication:

  • Inform Users: If the plugin is publicly accessible, inform users about the vulnerability and the recommended steps they should take.
  • Contact Plugin Developers: Contact the Booking and Rental Manager plugin developers (magepeopleteam) to report the vulnerability (if not already done) and request a patched version.

8. Long-Term Strategy:

  • Secure Coding Practices: Enforce secure coding practices for all plugin development, including proper input validation, output encoding, and the avoidance of dangerous functions like unserialize() without proper validation.
  • Regular Security Assessments: Conduct regular security assessments of all plugins and custom code to identify and address potential vulnerabilities proactively.
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Program: Consider implementing a vulnerability disclosure program to encourage security researchers to report vulnerabilities responsibly.

Disclaimer: This remediation/mitigation strategy is based on the information provided in the vulnerability report. It is essential to consult with security experts and the plugin developers for specific guidance tailored to your environment. The effectiveness of these mitigation measures may vary depending on the specific configuration and environment. Staying informed about the latest security threats and best practices is crucial for maintaining a secure WordPress installation.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-03-15 21:57:03
  • Updated Date: 2025-03-15 21:57:03

More Details

CVE-2025-26921